130 Domestic Notices. 



cells, and already a shade of purple, or crimson, or white, gives an indica- 

 tion of what is to be. This is especially the case with the azalea, whose 

 stems are now covered with the buds, which, in the spring, will form one 

 mass of beauty. 



The azalea is propagated by seeds for obtaining new varieties, or for 

 stocks for grafting the finer sorts upon; by inarching or grafting, when 

 the tender kinds rnay be strengthened by being united with those which are 

 more robust ; and by cuttings, which' is the more common and expeditious 

 process, for raising young plants. A soil composed of peat and sand, in 

 equal quantities, is the best, and the cuttings should be covered with hand- 

 glasses, until struck. The best time is when the parent plants are in the 

 most vigorous growth, for the cuttings, partaking of that vigor, will more 

 readilv emit roots, than when the vital juices are inspissated and compara- 

 tively motionless. When struck, the young plants must have every advan- 

 tage of light and air, and frequent shiftings, to secure a vigorous develop- 

 ment, until they come into bloom. The after treatment then divides itself 

 into two parts, suggested by the distinction pointed out by nature, between 

 the seasons of activity and rest, which all vegetation demands. As growth 

 commences immediately after blooming, the plants should be repotted then, 

 all the flower-stems being cut off, to prevent the energies of vegetable life 

 going for the production of seeds. The most appropriate soil consists of about 

 six parts of heath mould, in which there is a large portion of vegetable mat- 

 ter, one part of sandy loam, and one of sand. Great care is requisite in pot- 

 ting, both as to the size of the pots, and the disposition of the roots, which 

 are very fine, and of a hair-like texture. They must be disposed as equally 

 as possible, in all directions, that the spongioles may not be crowded to- 

 gether, but may abso.b equally, the matters requisite for the vigor of the 

 plant. Good drainage nmst be secured, varying, however, according to the 

 habits of tlie plants. Some are semi-evergreen, while others are decidedly 

 deciduous ; the former will require larger pots, and more drainage than the 

 latter.— (Gar^. Chron., 1848, p. 845.) 



Art. II. Dimestic Notices. 



Annual Fait of the New York State Agricultural Society. — The Society 

 have decided upon holding their next fair at Syracuse, on Tuesday, 

 Wednesday, and Thursday, the llth, 12th, and 13th of September next. 

 A list of premiums has been pul)lished, which we shall notice more par- 

 ticularly in our next. It is gratifying to us lo see that the Society have in- 

 cluded copies of our Fruits of America among the horticultural premiums, 

 to be awarded at the fair. — Kd. 



Twenty-First Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Soci- 

 ety. — The next annual exhibition of the Society, will he held on Tuesday, 

 Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 18th, 19th, 20lh, and 21st of Sep- 

 tember next. The Society have also decided to hold a semi-annual exhi- 

 bition of flowers and fruits, in June, at the time of the general bloom of 



